Credentialed sportswriter covering… the Wizards, though wishing it was the Bullets…the Terps, Hoyas, Mason and GW even if their players rarely cover one another…the Redskins, NFL, fantasy football and mock drafts because I tackle such things… The Nats and Orioles, yeah, field those stories too.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Maryland opened Saturday's men’s basketball practice to the media and a smattering of fans to watch drills and a 20-minute scrimmage. Quotes and my observations below…

* Neither Pe’Shon Howard (broken foot) nor coach Mark Turgeon ruled out the possibility of a medical redshirt season for the sophomore guard. The school announced on Thursday that Howard had sustained an injury – specifically a fractured bone in his right foot - and could miss 10-12 weeks. Turgeon said it was unclear if surgery was required and the point guard underwent an MRI on Saturday.

Howard, who was rather chipper when speaking with the media, said pain in his foot lingered for about a week and he continued practicing until the ache went from “annoying” to something more.

“It wasn’t too bad and then one day I was walking to class and I was like I can’t take it,” said Howard, who made his way around the Comcast Center with the aid of crutches.

If Howard is back after 10 weeks, he is back on the court just prior to start of ACC play. Maryland’s conference opener is at NC State on January 8.

Should he be out the full 12 weeks out, Howard would sit out 3-4 ACC games and 16-17 games overall. The longer he sits, the more sitting out the season comes into play.